October 24, 2024, | Islamabad, Pakistan
PEP researchers organized a National policy conference to present their findings on how MDB reforms and strategic financing can accelerate Pakistan’s green energy transition.
A team of affiliated PEP researchers organized a National policy conference in Islamabad to present findings from the “CGD-Pakistan” program on how multilateral development banks can better support the green energy transition and financing in the Global South. The program explores strategies for MDBs to support Pakistan’s green energy transition and sustainable financing.
Recognizing green energy as essential to Pakistan’s economic and environmental goals, over 30 policymakers and stakeholders from the government, international organizations, academia, and the private sector attended the conference to discuss the project’s findings and recommendations.
Key policy stakeholders included representatives from Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning and Development and UK aid to Pakistan both key supporters of green transition initiatives. Other attendees included private sector representatives and journalists from prominent media outlets, ensuring the findings reached a broad audience.
Team members Dr. Vaqar Ahmed and Muhammad Zeshan (pictured below) presented the findings and recommendations focusing on the critical role MDBs can play in Pakistan’s shift toward renewable energy through targeted subsidies, policy reforms, and enhanced green financing mechanisms.
Dr. Ahmed and Mr. Zeshan highlighted how targeted MDB support could accelerate Pakistan’s transition to renewable energy. They shared that offering subsidies for solar energy adoption and phasing out fossil fuel incentives would reduce Pakistan’s dependency on imported coal and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, they emphasized that capacity-building initiatives and institutional reforms were essential to sustain green financing and ensure effective policy implementation over time.
The team also underscored the importance of private sector involvement in clean energy technologies, noting that increasing green financing options could stimulate investment and foster long-term economic growth aligned with Pakistan's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The presentation was followed by an interactive session where participants engaged in a one-hour Q&A. Attendees discussed private sector investment in green technologies, green financing needs, and the importance of ongoing capacity-building initiatives. To maintain engagement, participants agreed to create a WhatsApp group for real-time collaboration on green transition efforts.
Journalists from major media outlets covered the event, amplifying the visibility of the project’s findings and recommendations. This coverage is expected to increase public awareness of green energy issues and encourage greater stakeholder involvement in sustainable energy initiatives in Pakistan. This national policy conference is a significant contribution to Pakistan’s path to achieving its sustainable energy goals, with actionable insights, strategic partnerships, and robust recommendations guiding the way forward.
The research team organized the event with financial and advisory support from PEP, as part of the "Support for Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Reform: How MDBs Can Better Support Green Energy Transition and Financing in the Global South" program, funded by the Center for Global Development (CGD)
